Andres
Maillard is the creative spirit behind the hottest
parties at Mexico’s luxurious El Dorado
Seaside Suites. “The White Magic Champagne
Lounge” was a Maillard original: an intimate
candlelit beach dotted with plush, open-air beds,
cheese platters, and bubbly made for an all-night
party set to the beats of a DJ. As Entertainment Manager,
Maillard has to stay in tune with his guests’
unique taste in music, entertainment, and food for
special events like birthdays and anniversaries. Some
people like a fuss and some people like it understated;
Maillard’s job is to make everyone happy. Good
thing he loves pleasing the guests, who begin to miss
him after only two days of leaving the resort, often
writing postcards to express their nostalgia. What
can we say? Andres Maillard knows how to throw a party.

Tejal Rao: What
exactly does an entertainment manager do?

Andres Maillard:
I provide all levels of entertainment for the guests!
Basically, I manage a staff of 10 guys. I make the
activities program. It’s important to balance
the activities for all age groups.

TR: What’s
a typical day like at the resort?

AM: First, I go
to the gym. After my workout, I go have a briefing
with the general manager at 9 in the morning. Then,
I walk to the resort and check my areas: tennis, ping
pong, pool etc. I make sure everything is ready and
perfect. Then, I go to my office and check email.
During the day, I hang out with the guests and get
feedback from them. Then my staff executes the schedule
of activities. We have two every hour. Usually, one
is physically active and one more passive and relaxed.

TR: What’s
your background? How did you get into the hospitality
industry?

AM: Actually I trained
as a commercial pilot. But I’ve always loved
the hospitality industry. A friend of mine told me
about the job, and recommended me for the position,
and it worked out!

TR: Do you still
fly?

AM: Flying is still
a hobby for me. I fly out of a small airport in Playa
del Carmen, for fun.

TR: What inspires
you? Where do you get your best ideas for events?

AM: Sometimes, I
get ideas from watching movies or even the internet.
But I don’t like to copy my ideas, I always
change them and put my own personal stamp on them.
And I always seem to have the best ideas in bed, just
before I fall asleep!

TR: What is the
most rewarding part of planning events?

AM: When a guest
leaves the hotel and is really happy that you’ve
made their vacation unique, it’s very rewarding.
Sometimes, in a really short amount of time, you make
a solid friendship with a guest, and just two days
after they leave they write to say they miss hanging
out with me. Then I know I’ve done something
right!

TR: What’s
the best part about working at a resort hotel?

AM: Well, I don’t
really have a favorite part. It’s all pretty
incredible in Mexico. I’m lucky enough to spend
a lot of time by the pool, so there are a lot of bikinis…Just
joking! But my office does have a beautiful view of
the beach.

TR: What is the
biggest challenge you face?

AM: It’s hard
to create a good environment for all the different
guests we have because in the same week we have people
from so many different countries. And from these different
countries there are different ages and personalities
and I have to try to understand and entertain them
all with the right music and shows.

TR: Do you have
any advice for aspiring entertainment managers?

Never get too comfortable with your
routine, always keep creating ideas and never stop
dreaming. You need to use your imagination and smile.
It’s a fun job, but it’s also a hard job,
and you have to enjoy it. When you stop having fun,
it’s time to move on and do something else.